情景口语：natural disasters自然灾害a: do you think that climate change is responsible for the recent floods?
B: it could be.
There are floods in this country almost every year, but in recent years they havebeen more widespread and more frequent.
A: it seems that the climate in this country is changing.
B; the summers are hotter.
The last three summers have been the hottest for the past 200 years.
There have also been stronger winds.
A: I think that the changing climate is a sign that we are causing too much damage to theenvironment.
B; I think you’re right.
Climate change naturally over time, but I think that human activities arespeeding up the change.
I wish that government would join together and try to resolve theproblem.
A: me too.
If we don’t do something soon, It might be too late.
Intermediate A: are there any interesting stories in the newspaper today?
B; there are a few stories about natural disasters.
There is a massive forest fire in Australia.
It coversseveral square kilometers of land has destroyed many more square kilometers.
A; was it caused accidentally or naturally?
Sometimes it gets so hot that fires begin naturally inAustralia and Africa.
B: nobody knows at the moment, but it has been very hot there recently.
The drought in Africa iscausing starvation.
Millions of people have migrated to try and find food.
A: what is the international community doing to help?
B; the European union has sent several plants with relief supplies.
Several countries have sentsoldiers to distribute food and medical supplies.
Refugee camps have been set up across theregion.
A: how many countries have been affected?
B: six have been seriously affected, but the refugees are also migrating to several surroundingcountries.
A; I saw on the tv yesterday that there has been another earthquake in iran.
B; yes.
There have been a few there recently.
They say that this one was not a big quake.
TheIranians are dealing with it on their own.
They have purchased some special equipment to findpeople buried under rubble.
A; does the newspaper say anything about casualties?
B; so far, less than 20 people have died, but over 100 are in hospital.